Creative Director Media Production

DARRYL. D. LASSITER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR, PUBLICITY & MEDIA PRODUCTION

Atlanta, GA 30134 • 770-***-**** • ***************@***.*** • https://linkedin.com/in/darryl-lassiter-b8680912/ PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

• Seasoned creative, publicity, and media production executive with 20+ years of experience writing, directing, producing, and promoting/marketing award-winning media content, including feature and short films, TV specials, commercials, and music videos.

• Proven ability to provide creative direction for media and PR projects from conceptualization to execution, guide large teams of up to 600 people, and execute complex video/broadcast projects while ensuring alignment with brand messaging and audience trends.

• Excels in leveraging creative, public relations, and digital media strategies to amplify brand visibility, drive promotional campaigns, secure strategic media placements, and disseminate compelling content that drives audience engagement across diverse platforms. CORE COMPETENCIES

• Creative Direction

• Creative Strategy

• Public Relations

• Advertising Strategy

• Publicity Campaigns

• Media Production

• Brand Storytelling

• Video Production

• Digital Marketing

• Broadcast Operations

• Content Development

• Strategic Communications

• Marketing Campaigns

• Multi-Platform Media

• Media Relations

• Talent Management

• Brand Management

• Social Media Strategy

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Provided creative direction for 90+ film and TV projects, including network specials for BET, TLC, and The Word Network, while also winning multiple awards, such as five Telly Awards, three Aurora Awards, and the prestigious Stellar Award for Best Music Video.

• Launched DDL Entertainment, Inc. in 1993 and served as its Creative Director, overseeing creative direction and production of 94 TV and film specials, 35 television commercials, 15 documentaries, and 110 music videos.

• Earned national recognition as a creative director and filmmaker with the theatrical debut of “Pay The Price”, winning Best Family Drama at the New York International Film Festival and igniting widespread cultural interest in Black College Marching Bands.

• Taught multiple classes on video, TV, and media production for both children and adults, including instructing 180+ children in 6 classes at Woodland Middle School.

• Inducted into the National Black College Alumni Distinction Hall of Fame and honored with a Literacy in the Arts Lifetime Career Achievement Award, alongside a mayoral proclamation recognizing contributions to the arts and entertainment industry.

• Served as an editor and columnist for Atlanta Daily World and Upscale Magazine, covering major events such as the Super Bowl, Olympics, World Series, Grammy Awards, and NBA Finals while also serving as National Director of Publicity for four record labels. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Media Tech Operations Manager

Cox Media Group Atlanta, GA Apr 2020 to Present

• Manage cable TV operations in 18 states, ensuring uninterrupted broadcasting by optimizing workflows, troubleshooting technical challenges, and executing process improvements that enhance efficiency, signal reliability, and compliance with industry standards. Master Control Operator

ABC-TV Network Hub Encompass Atlanta, GA Jan 2019 to Apr 2020

• Supervised live and recorded broadcasts for major ABC affiliates across key metropolitan markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Houston), proactively resolving technical issues and maintaining transmission quality. Video Manager Producer Director & Editor

World Changers Media Atlanta, GA Jun 2001 to Aug 2019

• Executed end-to-end video production strategies, conceptualizing creative content and overseeing all phases of production (including scripting, filming, and post-production) to deliver engaging visual narratives aligned with branding and marketing objectives.

• Led comprehensive pre-production planning efforts, working closely with stakeholders to define project goals, establish detailed production schedules, and allocate resources effectively, ensuring seamless execution of video shoots both in studio and on location.

• Strategized and executed advertising and publicity strategies to amplify the reach of produced content, coordinating promotional campaigns, securing media placements, and leveraging digital platforms to enhance visibility and audience engagement. Writer & Editor - Morning Show Master Control Production Tech CBS 46 Atlanta & WSB-TV-2 - Atlanta, GA Oct 2014 to Mar 2015

• Produced high-quality written content for live broadcasts, applying advanced editing and proofreading techniques to enhance clarity, eliminate errors, and improve the overall impact of televised news and entertainment programming for diverse audiences. Producer & Writer

Weather Channel Network Atlanta, GA Jan 2014 to Jan 2015

• Developed engaging weather-related programming, translating complex meteorological data into compelling on-air narratives that resonated with viewers, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and accessibility across multiple broadcast segments and digital platforms. Creative Director

DDL Entertainment, Inc. Atlanta, GA Feb 2001 to Nov 2011

• Directed, produced, and wrote a diverse range of media content, including TV specials, commercials, short films, and music videos for clients such as Sony/BMG, BET Network, and NFL Films, overseeing all aspects of production to ensure high-quality storytelling.

• Planned and executed strategic advertising and publicity campaigns to maximize audience reach and engagement for the media projects produced, leveraging targeted marketing initiatives, promotional partnerships, and media placements to enhance visibility.

• Provided creative leadership throughout the production lifecycle, guiding cinematographers, editors, and design teams to maintain artistic and technical excellence while ensuring that all content adhered to industry standards and conveyed brand narratives.

• Supported promotional efforts by crafting compelling marketing materials, coordinating media outreach, and securing press coverage, ensuring that all produced content received widespread recognition and effectively resonated with target audiences. Vice President of Promotions & Media Relations National Director of Publicity Executive Video Producer Light Records Atlanta, GA Jan 2004 to Jan 2011

• Produced engaging video content that reinforced brand messaging, leveraging strategic storytelling and high-quality production techniques to create visually compelling media assets that supported marketing and promotional objectives.

• Coordinated all aspects of production logistics, including scheduling, location scouting, talent booking, and crew coordination, ensuring seamless execution of video shoots while maintaining creative and technical standards in alignment with brand strategies.

• Implemented comprehensive publicity strategies, securing media coverage through press releases, interviews, and promotional partnerships, elevating brand awareness and strengthening industry presence across key entertainment and media sectors.

• Led high-profile promotional campaigns, collaborating with artists, media outlets, and industry executives to expand audience engagement, increase brand recognition, and drive visibility through innovative marketing initiatives tailored to target demographics. ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Director, Writer & Producer Reporter Program Manager WIGO Radio The Library Channel Television Network Atlanta, GA Teacher & Instructor Kids Video Connection School Decatur, GA Teacher Assistant Media Director Woodland Middle School Stockbridge, GA EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communications Alabama State University Montgomery, AL Certifications in Film Direction & Film Production Hollywood Film Institute Los Angeles, CA PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Schomburg Society

• National Black Arts Festival

• Southern Poverty Law Center

• National Television Academy, Southeast (Emmy

Awards)

• National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences

(Grammy Awards)

• BMI (Broadcast Music Incorporated)

• African Film Society

• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

• International Television Association (ITVA

• National Federation of Musicians

• Black Filmmaker’s Foundation

• Dekalb High School of Technology Advisory Board

• Louisiana Film Academy

AWARDS AND HONORS

• National Center/Civil Rights AACASU Legacy Award

• Stellar Award Best Music Video

• Aurora Award Best Music Video

• Stellar Award Video of the Year

• Videographer Award, Movie - Pay The Price

• Videographer Award, Children’s Programming

• Literacy in the Arts Awards Career Achievement

• National Black College Alumni Hall NAFEO

• “Darryl D. Lassiter Day” Proclamation - City of

Bessemer, AL

• First Place, “Best Family Drama” New York International Film Festival

• Communicator Award, Best Children’s Show

• GMA Award - Best Video of the Year

• Videographer Award, Special Event

• Telly Award, Best TV Commercial

• Soul Train Award Nominee, Best Gospel Video

• Most Played Gospel Video of the Year (BET)

• Most Requested Gospel Video of the Year, Z-Music Network

• GMA Award, Best Video

• GMA Award, Best Concept Video

• Alumni Distinction Award, Alabama State University

• Stellar Award Nominee, Video of the Year

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